"Why, mas"r, t"ant de clothes. G.o.d neber make Christian wid"e his clothes on;-den, mas"r, I gin" my new jacket to Daddy Bob. But neber mind him, mas"r-you wants I to tell you what I tinks ob de Lor. I tink great site ob the Bible, mas"r, but me don" tink much ob Elder"s sermon, mas"r."
"How is that, Harry?" interrupted the deacon.
"Why, Mas"r Deacon, ye sees how when ye preaches de good tings ob de Lor", ye mus"nt "dulge in "e wicked tings on "arth. A"h done want say Mas"r Elder do dem tings-but "e seem to me t" warn"t right wen "e join de wickedness ob de world, and preach so ebery Sunday. He may know de va.r.s.e, and de chapter, but "e done preach what de Lor"
say, nohow."
"Then you don"t believe in a one-sided sermon, Harry?" returned the deacon, while Marston and Maxwell sat enjoying the negro"s simple opinion of the Elder"s sermon.
"No, mas"r. What the Bible teach me is to lob de Lor"-be good myself, and set example fo"h oders. I an"t what big white Christian say must be good, wen "e neber practice him,--but I good in me heart when me tink what de Lor" say be good. Why, mas"r, Elder preach dat sarmon so many Sundays, dat a" forgot him three times, since me know "im ebery word," said Harry; and his face began to fill with animation and fervency.
"Well, now, Harry, I think you are a little too severe on the Elder"s sermon; but if you know so much about it, give these gentlemen a small portion of it, just to amuse them while the Elder is taking a nap," said Marston.
"Ay, mas"r, be nap dat way too often for pious man what say he lobe de Lor"," replied Harry; and drawing himself into a tragic att.i.tude, making sundry gesticulations, and putting his hand to his forehead, commenced with the opening portion of the Elder"s sermon. "And it was said-Servants obey your masters, for that is right in the sight of the Lord," and with a style of native eloquence, and rich cantation, he continued for about ten minutes, giving every word, seriatim, of the Elder"s sermon; and would have kept it up, in word and action, to the end, had he not been stopped by Marston. All seemed astonished at his power of memory. Maxwell begged that he might be allowed to proceed.
"He"s a valuable fellow, that-eh?" said Marston. "He"ll be worth three-sixteenths of a rise on cotton to all the planters in the neighbourhood, by-and-by. He"s larned to read, somehow, on the sly-isn"t it so, Harry? come, talk up!"
"Yes, mas"r, I larn dat when you sleepin"; do Lor" tell me his spirit warn"t in dat sarmon what de Elder preach,--dat me must sarch de good book, and make me own tinking valuable. Mas"r tink ignorant n.i.g.g.e.r lob him best, but t"ant so, mas"r. Good book make heart good, and make n.i.g.g.e.r love de Lor", and love mas"r too."
"I"ll bet the rascal"s got a Bible, or a Prayer-book, hid up somewhere. He and old Daddy Bob are worse on religion than two old c.o.o.ns on a fowl-yard," said Marston. Here old Aunt Rachel entered the room to fuss around a little, and have a pleasant meeting with mas"r"s guests. Harry smiled at Marston"s remark, and turned his eyes upward, as much as to say, "a day will come when G.o.d"s Word will not thus be turned into ridicule!"
"And he"s made such a good old Christian of this dark sinner, Aunt Rachel, that I wouldn"t take two thousand dollars for her. I expect she"ll be turning preacher next, and going north to join the abolitionists."
"Mas"r," said Rachel, ""t wouldn"t do to mind what you say. Neber mind, you get old one ob dese days; den you don"t make so much fun ob old Rachel."
"Shut up your corn-trap," Marston says, smiling; and turning to his guests, continues-"You hear that, gentlemen; she talks just as she pleases, directs my household as if she were governor." Again, Aunt Rachel, summoning her dignity, retorts,
"Not so, Mas"r Deacon, (turning to Deacon Rosebrook,) ""t won"t square t" believe all old Boss tell, dat it won"t! Mas"r take care ob de two cabins in de yard yonder, while I tends de big house."
Rachel was more than a match for Marston; she could beat him in quick retort. The party, recognising Aunt Rachel"s insinuation, joined in a hearty laugh. The conversation was a little too pointed for Marston, who, changing the subject, turned to Harry, saying, "now, my old boy, we"ll have a little more of your wisdom on religious matters." Harry had been standing the while like a forlorn image, with a red cap in his hand.
"I can preach, mas"r; I can do dat, fo"h true," he replied quickly.
"But mas"r, n.i.g.g.e.r got to preach against his colour; Buckra tink n.i.g.g.e.r preachin" ain"t good, cus he black."
"Never mind that, Harry," interrupts Marston: "We"ll forget the n.i.g.g.e.r, and listen just as if it were all white. Give us the very best specimen of it. Daddy Bob, my old patriarch, must help you; and after you get through, he must lift out by telling us all about the time when General Washington landed in the city; and how the people spread carpets, at the landing, for him to walk upon." The entertainment was, in Marston"s estimation, quite a recherch concern: that his guests should be the better pleased, the venerable old Daddy Bob, his head white with goodly years of toil, and full of genuine negro humour, steps forward to perform his part. He makes his best bows, his best sc.r.a.pes, his best laughs; and says, "Bob ready to do anything to please mas"r." He pulls the sleeves of his jacket, looks vacantly at Harry, is proud to be in the presence of mas"r"s guests. He tells them he is a better n.i.g.g.e.r "den" Harry, points to his extremes, which are decorated with a pair of new russet broghans.
"Daddy"s worth his weight in gold," continues Marston, "and can do as much work as any n.i.g.g.e.r on the plantation, if he is old."
"No, no, mas"r; I ain"t so good what I was. Bob can"t tote so much wid de hoe now. I work first-rate once, mas"r, but "a done gone now!"
"Now, Bob, I want you to tell me the truth,--n.i.g.g.e.rs will lie, but you are an exception, Bob; and can tell the truth when there"s no bacon in the way."
"Gih! Mas"r, I do dat sartin," replied Bob, laughing heartily, and pulling up the little piece of shirt that peeped out above the collar of his jacket.
"How did Harry and you come by so much knowledge of the Bible? you got one somewhere, hav"n"t you?" enquired Marston, laconically.
This was rather a "poser" on Bob; and, after stammering and mumbling for some time-looking at Harry slyly, then at Marston, and again dropping his eyes on the floor, he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed,
"Well, mas"r, "spose I might as well own "im. Harry and me got one, for sartin!"
"Ah, you black rascals, I knew you had one somewhere. Where did you get it? That"s some of Miss Franconia"s doings."
"Can"t tell you, mas"r, whar I got him; but he don"t stop my hoein"
corn, for" true."
Franconia had observed Harry"s tractableness, and heard him wish for a Bible, that he might learn to read from it,--and she had secretly supplied him with one. Two years Harry and Daddy Bob had spent hours of the night in communion over it; the latter had learned to read from it, the former had imbibed its great truths. The artless girl had given it to them in confidence, knowing its consolatory influences and that they, with a peculiar firmness in such cases, would never betray her trust. Bob would not have refused his master any other request; but he would never disclose the secret of Miss Franconia giving it.
"Well, my old faithful," said Marston, "we want you to put the sprit into Harry; we want to hear a sample of his preaching. Now, Harry, you can begin; give it big eloquence, none of the new fashion preaching, give us the old plantation break-down style."
The negro"s countenance a.s.sumed a look indicative of more than his lips dare speak. Looking upward pensively, he replied,--"Can"t do dat, mas"r; he ain"t what do G.o.d justice; but there is something in de text,--where shall I take "em from?"
"Ministers should choose their own; I always do," interrupted Deacon Rosebrook.
Daddy Bob, touching Harry on the arm, looks up innocently, interposes his knowledge of Scripture. "D"ar, Harry, I tells you what text to gin "em. Gin "em dat one from de fourt" chapter of Ephes: dat one whar de Lor" say:--"Great mas"r led captivity captive, and gin gifts unto men." And whar he say, "Till we come unto a unity of the faith of the knowledge of the son of G.o.d unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; that we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lay in wait to deceive.""
"And you tink dat "ll do,--eh, Daddy?" Harry replies, looking at the old man, as if to say, were he anything but a slave he would follow the advice.
"Den, dars t" oder one, away "long yonder, where "e say in Isaiah, fifty-eight chapter--"Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness." The old man seemed perfectly at home on matters of Scripture; he had studied it in stolen moments.
The young Englishman seemed surprised at such a show of talent. He saw the humble position of the old man, his want of early instruction, and his anxiety to be enlightened. "How singular!" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, "to hear property preach, and know so much of the Bible, too! People in my country would open their eyes with surprise." The young man had been educated in an atmosphere where religion was prized-where it was held as a sacred element for the good of man.
His feelings were tenderly susceptible; the scene before him awakened his better nature, struck deep into his mind. He viewed it as a cruel mockery of Christianity, a torture of innocent nature, for which man had no shame. He saw the struggling spirit of the old negro contending against wrong,--his yearnings for the teachings of Christianity, his solicitude for Marston"s good. And he saw how man had cut down the unoffending image of himself-how Christian ministers had become the tyrant"s hand-fellow in the work of oppression. It incited him to resolution; a project sprung up in his mind, which, from that day forward, as if it had been a new discovery in the rights of man, he determined to carry out in future, for the freedom of his fellows.
Harry, in accordance with Bob"s advice, chose the latter text. For some minutes he expounded the power of divine inspiration, in his simple but impressive manner, being several times interrupted by the Deacon, who a.s.sumed the right of correcting his philosophy. At length, Marston interrupted, reminding him that he had lost the "plantation gauge." "You must preach according to the Elder"s rule,"
said he.
With a submissive stare, Harry replied: "Mas"r, a man what lives fo"h dis world only is a slave to himself; but G.o.d says, he dat lives fo"h de world to come, is the light of life coming forth to enjoy the pleasures of eternity;" and again he burst into a rhapsody of eloquence, to the astonishment and admiration of Maxwell, and even touching the feelings of Marston, who was seldom moved by such displays. Seeing the man in the thing of merchandise, he inclined to look upon him as a being worthy of immortality; and yet it seemed next to impossible that he should bring his natural feelings to realise the simple n.o.bleness that stood before him,--the man beyond the increase of dollars and cents in his person! The coloured winter"s hand leaned against the mantel-piece, watching the changes in Marston"s countenance, as Daddy stood at Harry"s side, in patriarchal muteness. A tear stealing down Maxwell"s cheek told of the sensation produced; while Marston, setting his elbow on the table, supported his head in his hands, and listened. The Deacon, good man that he was, filled his gla.s.s,--as if to say, "I don"t stand n.i.g.g.e.r preaching." As for the Elder, his pishes and painful gurglings, while he slept, were a source of much annoyance. Awaking suddenly-raising himself to a half-bent position-he rubs his little eyes, adjusts his spectacles on his nose, stares at Harry with surprise, and then, with quizzical demeanour, leaves us to infer what sort of a protest he is about to enter. He, however, thinks it better to say nothing.
"Stop, Harry," says Marston, interrupting him in a point of his discourse: then turning to his guests, he inquired, with a look of ridicule, "Gentlemen, what have you got to say against such preaching? Elder, you old snoring Christian, you have lost all the best of it. Why didn"t you wake up before?"
"Verri-ly, truly! ah, indeed: you have been giving us a monkey-show with your n.i.g.g.e.r, I suppose. I thought I"d lost nothing; you should remember, Marston, there"s a future," said the Elder, winking and blinking sardonically.
"Yes, old boosey," Marston replies, with an air of indifference, "and you should remember there"s a present, which you may lose your way in. That venerable sermon won"t keep you straight-"
The Elder is extremely sensitive on this particular point-anything but speak disparagingly of that sermon. It has been his stock in trade for numerous years. He begs they will listen to him for a minute, excuse this little trifling variation, charge it to the susceptibility of his const.i.tution. He is willing to admit there is capital in his example which may be used for bad purposes, and says, "Somehow, when I take a little, it don"t seem to go right." Again he gives a vacant look at his friends, gets up, resting his hands on the table, endeavours to keep a perpendicular, but declares himself so debilitated by his sleep that he must wait a little longer.
Sinking back upon the settee, he exclaims, "You had better send that n.i.g.g.e.r to his cabin." This was carrying the amus.e.m.e.nt a little beyond Marston"s own "gauge," and it being declared time to adjourn, preparations were made to take care of the Elder, who was soon placed horizontally in a waggon and driven away for his home. "The Elder is gone beyond himself, beyond everything," said Marston, as they carried him out of the door. "You can go, Harry, I like your preaching; bring it down to the right system for my property, and I"ll make a dollar or two out of it yet," he whispers, shaking his head, as Harry, bowing submissively, leaves the door.
Just as they were making preparations to retire, a carriage drove to the gate, and in the next minute a dashing young fellow came rushing into the house, apparently in great anxiety. He was followed by a well-dressed man, whose countenance and sharp features, full of sternness, indicated much mechanical study. He hesitated as the young man advanced, took Marston by the hand, nervously, led him aside, whispered something in his ear. Taking a few steps towards a window, the intruder, for such he seemed, stood almost motionless, with his eyes firmly and watchfully fixed upon them, a paper in his right hand. "It is too often, Lorenzo; these things may prove fatal," said Marston, giving an inquiring glance at the man, still standing at the window.
"I pledge you my honour, uncle, it shall be the last time," said the young stranger. "Uncle, I have not forgotten your advice." Marston, much excited, exhibited changes of countenance peculiar to a man labouring under the effect of sudden disappointment. Apologising to his guests, he dismissed them-with the exception of Maxwell-ordered pen and ink, drew a chair to the table, and without asking the stranger to be seated, signed his name to a paper. While this was being done, the man who had waited in silence stepped to the door and admitted two gentlemanly-looking men, who approached Marston and authenticated the instrument. It was evident there was something of deep importance a.s.sociated with Marston"s signature. No sooner had his pen fulfilled the mission, than Lorenzo"s face, which had just before exhibited the most watchful anxiety, lighted up with joy, as if it had dismantled its care for some new scene of worldly prosperity.
CHAPTER IV.
AN UNEXPECTED CONFESSION.